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EX-economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has threatened legal action against rapper-turned-social media influencer Ariz Ramli, known as Caprice, as a public dispute intensifies over allegations linking him to purported corruption involving projects said to be worth RM3.6 billion.
Rafizi, the Member of Parliament for Pandan, has firmly denied any wrongdoing in connection with two major initiatives: a RM1.1 billion agreement between Putrajaya and international semiconductor company Arm Holdings, and a RM2.5 billion, 750-megawatt solar project undertaken by UEM Lestra under the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
He said both projects had been falsely portrayed as corruption cases and accused Caprice of amplifying baseless claims in what he described as a coordinated attempt to damage his reputation.
“I am being accused of involvement in a scandal said to be worth more than the amount linked to Datuk Seri Najib. Najib was convicted after RM2.3 billion entered his personal account from 1MDB funds.
“I am accused of alleged bribery amounting to RM3.6 billion. Fuyoh, more than Najib!
“The narrative has to be exaggerated to make it look severe. Over time it becomes overkill.
“Those of us from Gen X and above have gone through this since the reformasi era — slander that eventually turns into overkill,” he said in a video posted on his social media page.
Rafizi maintained that the RM2.5 billion investment by UEM Lestra was a private sector initiative that did not involve public funds or government procurement. He also rejected claims that he had awarded the solar project to a company linked to him.
“The other alleged corruption case has nothing to do with the Economy Ministry which is the nation’s largest project. I was accused of awarding the contract to a company linked to me.
“This has yet again become another slander being pushed by Caprice, claiming I am involved in a RM2.5 billion corruption case. All of this surfaced suddenly within less than a week,” he said.
He further claimed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had not produced any evidence linking him to wrongdoing.
Describing the allegations as a “scripted smear campaign”, Rafizi said the claims had been deliberately exaggerated into an “overkill” narrative without regard for facts. He added that such tactics were reminiscent of the political attacks he faced during the reformasi era.
Rafizi is expected to address the two allegations in greater detail during his podcast programme, “Yang Berhenti Menteri”, scheduled to be aired at 10pm tonight.
He said he would present detailed facts during the broadcast and give Caprice the opportunity to share the clarification with his followers and issue an apology for defamation.
If no apology is forthcoming, Rafizi said he has instructed his lawyers to commence legal proceedings.
Caprice, in comments accompanying a reposted video of Rafizi’s explanation, questioned the former minister’s assertions.
“Salam Ramadan Rafizi, if you want to ‘twist’ it, wait until after the fasting month… since when did Cap accuse Raf of being involved in a RM2.5 billion corruption case?? That is a serious accusation,” he said.
The influencer is expected to hold a press conference later today, setting the stage for a further escalation of the increasingly acrimonious public row. - February 20, 2026